Asylee with questions regarding visiting France/Germany

[ve_blur]

Hello everyone!

I just discovered this website and I wish I did before because I went through the whole asylum process without anyone who knew what was going on.. In short, I came to this country in 2000 with a tourist visa. My family applied for asylum before the year was over, and we got our INS interview in 2003, but we were denied. We went to immigration court in 2004 and then again in 2006 (twice). We finally got granted asylum by an immgration judge in April 2006. I'm definitely going to apply for PR coming this April 2007!!
In the meantime, I want to go to France this upcoming summer 2007. I know I have to apply for a RTD now. So when I travel my PR application would be pending. It won't matter that I'm traveling because I stayed here the whole year after I was granted the asylum, right?
Now, I know I wont get my GC by next summer, and I just read here that the French don't like us people with just RTDs

I just read that Germany will gladly accept me just with a RTD and NO CG. So I was wondering if I can travel to Germany by plane and then take a train to Paris. Is this posible? Would I get in trouble if stopped by an officer? Since these are Schengen countries, do they even check in between them?
I'm not really a person that takes big risk, so if I'm feeling less adventurous, can I just apply for a Schengen Visa through a German consulate. Would they give it to me in my RTD and then if the French ask me for it, I can just show it to them, as a Schengen Visa, shouldn't it be valid there?? Should I tell the Germans that I will go to France when I apply? Do they make any note of the countries you say you will travel in your visa??
Finally, is there any country part of the Schengen Visas that is really nice to us RTD+NO CG people? Maybe I could do this if Germany does not want to issue me a visa?

I know these are a lot of questions! But I really need to get to France next summer before I start Dental School.. I've been here for more than 6 years!!

Thank you everyone in advance!!

Ps.- On another note, I never got an I-94. I just got the judge resolution. Thus far, this is the only document that proves my status in this country. When I went to the INS in Nebraska, they told me they dont do the I-94 anymore But everyone keeps asking me for it when I say that I'm a asylee...

 

[wantmygcnow]

I would suggest you get a visa from French Embassy. If you go to German Embassy, most likely they will tell you to go french embassy to get a visa..

I have travelled all over Europe without a VISA on a RTD & NO GC. I entered Germany & took a train to France, italy etc..The police do come on the train to check your papers and they never said anything to me..but at that time the RTD was a universal color document(light blue), now its dirty green so it may get more attention.

I suggest you apply for a visa...With GC or without GC, european embassy's always give hard time so just get your paperwork(bank statements,insurance) ready and you will get a visa..

 

[faysal]

I have never been to Europe, but a friend of mine went to Sweden last year on a RTD. He was just like you. He was going to medical school, but he wanted to go to that country before he started.
He applied for Vissa from the Sweden Embassy. He told me after they recieved his package, a female called him and discussed with him about his intensions. He gave her a detailed explanation. He told me that had told her that he was medical student with a good legal status in US. He was issued Vissa and had no problem.

In my opinion, I suggest that you first apply for Vissa from French Embassy. Give them a reasonable explanation regarding your trip. Most countries are suspicious that asylees would seek asylum in their countries, so try to prove to them that you have a good life here in the USA and see what they have to say. Good luck

 

[cadel]

Hello everyone!

I just discovered this website and I wish I did before because I went through the whole asylum process without anyone who knew what was going on.. In short, I came to this country in 2000 with a tourist visa. My family applied for asylum before the year was over, and we got our INS interview in 2003, but we were denied. We went to immigration court in 2004 and then again in 2006 (twice). We finally got granted asylum by an immgration judge in April 2006. I'm definitely going to apply for PR coming this April 2007!!
In the meantime, I want to go to France this upcoming summer 2007. I know I have to apply for a RTD now. So when I travel my PR application would be pending. It won't matter that I'm traveling because I stayed here the whole year after I was granted the asylum, right?
Now, I know I wont get my GC by next summer, and I just read here that the French don't like us people with just RTDs

I just read that Germany will gladly accept me just with a RTD and NO CG. So I was wondering if I can travel to Germany by plane and then take a train to Paris. Is this posible? Would I get in trouble if stopped by an officer? Since these are Schengen countries, do they even check in between them?
I'm not really a person that takes big risk, so if I'm feeling less adventurous, can I just apply for a Schengen Visa through a German consulate. Would they give it to me in my RTD and then if the French ask me for it, I can just show it to them, as a Schengen Visa, shouldn't it be valid there?? Should I tell the Germans that I will go to France when I apply? Do they make any note of the countries you say you will travel in your visa??
Finally, is there any country part of the Schengen Visas that is really nice to us RTD+NO CG people? Maybe I could do this if Germany does not want to issue me a visa?

I know these are a lot of questions! But I really need to get to France next summer before I start Dental School.. I've been here for more than 6 years!!

Thank you everyone in advance!!

Ps.- On another note, I never got an I-94. I just got the judge resolution. Thus far, this is the only document that proves my status in this country. When I went to the INS in Nebraska, they told me they dont do the I-94 anymore But everyone keeps asking me for it when I say that I'm a asylee...

Use your RTD and travel to Germany without visa.I will advice you to fligh with Lufthansa to land at terminal 1 (frankfurt airport).If you fligh with Delta,you will land at Terminal 2 and will need to take a free schuttle bus to Terminal 1.There is a train station across the street from Terminal 1

Now here be very carefull.There are two destinations:

Frankfurt- Paris Est.This ticket cost 84 euros(About 130 dollars).Then you're gonna catch a free train from there to Frankfurt city(They call it Frankfurt-HBF).From Frankfurt city you will take the french train called SNCFto Paris Gare de L'Est.It's a local train and when the train reaches the first french city called Forbach,you see the french police inside the train asking for IDs.They don't aske IDs to all passengers,but to unlucky ones.If you're lucky,they're not gonna touch you and you will reach Paris.If you're not lucky,they will catch you with RTD without a schengen visa and they will send you back to Germany where you're supposed to be legal.One of my friend was sent back to Germany from that city last summer.I used that way twice because it's cheaper.The first time I was controlled and I didn't show no paper.My american style and english saved me.I said I'm an american soldier in Germany going to Paris for vacation.The second time they didn't control me because they saw mw reading USA TODAY news Paper I've got at JFK airport beford boarding the airplane while a passenger next to me was controlled.He was an european.

Frankfurt-Paris Nord.It costs 145 euro(about 190 dollars).This is the best way I can advice you.Ther is no control on this train.You're 100% safe and will reach Paris.when you purchase your ticket you have to say Paris nord.This german train runs Express from the train station at Frankfurt airport terminal 1 to Cologn(Germany).From colgn to Bruxelles-Midi(Belgium).At Bruxelles Midi,you make a transfert to a belgium Train called Tallys,making express from Brussel,Belgium 1h 20' to Paris gare du nord.

Hope this will help all US and canadians asyless/ refugees willing to go to France via Germany on RTD without visa.
Note: France is the worst shengen sate on visa issuance.

 

[ve_blur]

Thank you for all your answers! I'm going to give it a try first with the French consulate in Chicago. I also have a friend there that would write a document for me saying that I'm going to stay with him during my trip. Maybe that helps a little.

For the moment I don't know how I'm going to enter Europe, I just know I want to go next summer. When applying for the RTD can I just put going to "Shegen countries", "Europe" or do I have to list all of the ones I "might" go, but maybe not at the end. Do they only allow you to travel to the countries you said you were going to travel? Also, can I put that I'm planning to travel during the Summer of 2007 or do I have to put the exact dates?

I've been thinking I won't be able to pass as an American for sure. I'm Latin American. Maybe I should apply for a Shegen visa through Spain! I can easily pass by Spanish if I don't talk (because of the accent). Have anyone ever visit Spain with only a RTD? is it relatively friendly for us?

I'll try the train from Gernamy as a last resort.. Thank you for all the info Cadel. If I go through that route, I might ask you more question down the road

Thank you everyone again

 

[Blacksheep23]

I would suggest you get a visa from French Embassy. If you go to German Embassy, most likely they will tell you to go french embassy to get a visa..

I have travelled all over Europe without a VISA on a RTD & NO GC. I entered Germany & took a train to France, italy etc..The police do come on the train to check your papers and they never said anything to me..but at that time the RTD was a universal color document(light blue), now its dirty green so it may get more attention.

.

Have u been to eastern europe by rail and have any problem with no visa?

 

[wantmygcnow]

Have u been to eastern europe by rail and have any problem with no visa?

I have had no problems before. That was 2004. I even went from Germany to Switzerland by Train & no problem by Swiss Immigration control..

I would recommend that if you want to take this route(enter germany on RTD & go all over europe), you should take a flight. These flights are considered domestic and no immigration control between(to switzerland is not domestic).

TO have a peace of mind, just apply for a visa...Why take the risks of being turned back??? Also NEVER lie to any immigration official. Cadel got away with saying he was a soldier but I recommend do not make up a story...If you do take this risk, just let them know, you did not know you needed a visa...Don't say you are the son of the president of united states or something to that effect...

 

[MGTgrl]

Thank you for all your answers! I'm going to give it a try first with the French consulate in Chicago. I also have a friend there that would write a document for me saying that I'm going to stay with him during my trip. Maybe that helps a little.

For the moment I don't know how I'm going to enter Europe, I just know I want to go next summer. When applying for the RTD can I just put going to "Shegen countries", "Europe" or do I have to list all of the ones I "might" go, but maybe not at the end. Do they only allow you to travel to the countries you said you were going to travel? Also, can I put that I'm planning to travel during the Summer of 2007 or do I have to put the exact dates?

I've been thinking I won't be able to pass as an American for sure. I'm Latin American. Maybe I should apply for a Shegen visa through Spain! I can easily pass by Spanish if I don't talk (because of the accent). Have anyone ever visit Spain with only a RTD? is it relatively friendly for us?

I'll try the train from Gernamy as a last resort.. Thank you for all the info Cadel. If I go through that route, I might ask you more question down the road

Thank you everyone again

I heard that Spain was the best country to get the shengen visa from. I am not sure about RTD but usually they are more lenient. I know you have to get the shengen visa from the country you are going to go first and/or from the country you are going to stay in the most, but maybe you can go to Spain first and then go to France. Good luck!

 

[ve_blur]

I just called the French consulate in Chicago. They told me that if I have proof that I'm applying for a GC it would be fine.. I hope things go well! I'm going to try to get a visa through them first. If not I will just go to Germany and see what happens!
Thanks everyone!

Now I have to apply for my RTD and for my GC in April so I actually have the proof.. Do they mail you the receipt of acceptance fast enough when applying for GC??

 

[ve_blur]

I heard that Spain was the best country to get the shengen visa from. I am not sure about RTD but usually they are more lenient. I know you have to get the shengen visa from the country you are going to go first and/or from the country you are going to stay in the most, but maybe you can go to Spain first and then go to France. Good luck!

Hey MGTgrl, I was doing a search and you asked the same question I have now. Did you send your picture for the RTD as the old style or the new style? I'm confused about this too since I thought it was the new style, but the form still says old style. Thanks!

 

[MGTgrl]

Hey MGTgrl, I was doing a search and you asked the same question I have now. Did you send your picture for the RTD as the old style or the new style? I'm confused about this too since I thought it was the new style, but the form still says old style. Thanks!

Hi ve_blur,

You have to send your picture with the new style. They just didn't update the forms. Good luck!